episode_0022

#22

After that, all I had were busy days.

I handled promotions while the girls practiced.

After sprinting through the remaining week for just one music show, the day had finally arrived.

Saturday, around 3:40 a.m.

2827*

I deftly punched in the door lock code.

The numbers didn’t hold any grand meaning.

It was simply the sum of two numbers—SEPIA’s debut date: August 8, 2019.

Despite its simplicity, it had never been cracked in four years.

*Beep.*

The lock clicked open, and the door swung inward.

An old villa somewhere in Seoul.

Not my house. Nor was it my own rented place.

Given the hour, it might seem like I was coming home after overtime or a company dinner, but the opposite was true.

I was dressed neatly in a casual semi-formal outfit, fully awake.

I was currently heading *to* work.

“…….”

The location? Their dorm.

The dorm where SEPIA lived together.

*Click.*

First, I turned on the living room light.

“Damn kids….”

Scattered crumbs from half-eaten snacks and torn-open bags littered the couch.

No doubt, it was the handiwork of Sea and Sarang.

I suppose I should count myself lucky that there weren’t empty liquor bottles rolling around.

Quietly tidying up the snacks, I glanced at the clock.

3:44 a.m.

I’d wake them at 4.

That was the plan I settled on while cleaning the living room.

Music show days were nothing short of a battlefield for girl groups.

Starting from greetings on their way to the broadcast station, they had to be in the waiting room by 7:30 at the latest.

Since SEPIA was an unpopular group, showing up late and drawing negative attention was out of the question.

You might think they just needed to wake up early enough, but the commute itself was a kind of makeshift fan meeting where fans and journalists swarmed to take pictures.

Veteran stars or popular groups could nonchalantly stroll in wearing sunglasses and hats, but SEPIA had to make a strong impression from the start.

Fans and tabloid reporters crowded around snapping photos, and since even one good shot could provide significant promotional value, skipping it wasn’t an option.

To manage that, they had to arrive already fully made up at the salon beforehand.

With four members, makeup alone takes about an hour and a half.

Today’s salon appointment was at 5 a.m.

Not a minute late. The makeup artists were coming in at dawn just for us.

At least we only had four members—imagine the rookie group with *eleven*…

Terrifying just to think about.

Right about now, they were probably struggling to stay awake while diligently getting prepped.

Thinking about it, the labor intensity was absurd, but in the industry, it was just the norm.

Even after all that effort, unpopular groups like ours wouldn’t attract many fans. Aside from journalists, no one would even properly photograph them. Without so much as hearing their names chanted, they’d just head into the waiting room.

SEPIA was somewhat used to that… but since this was their hard-earned chance to appear after months, I didn’t want their commute to reflect that.

So for the past week, I bombarded the group chat and social media with guides—music show announcements, how to participate in events, fan greeting details—anything to rally support.

Even then, maybe one in a hundred would show.

I considered posting another reminder in the group chat, but 3:50 a.m. was too early.

I’d post another before 6.

*Creak.*

“…Mm. You’re here already? Hugu-oppa.”

The door opened, revealing a drowsy voice. The nameplate on the door swayed.

[♡Sarang’s Room♡]

“You’re already up… Wait, no. Did you even sleep?”

“…Mmm~ How’d you know?”

“Your dark circles could rival a panda’s. Makeup won’t cover that.”

“Haaaam…”

Sarang half-listened, stifling yawns.

Shuffling over, she suddenly hugged me tightly.

“Hehe. Big pillow.”

“Don’t drool on me.”

*Nuzzle nuzzle.*

Blatantly ignoring my warning, she buried her face into my clothes.

…This was dry-cleaned *yesterday*. It’s already ruined.

“Hehe. Pillows are *supposed* to get drooled on. Just wash it~”

“I’ve *never* seen you touch a washing machine.”

Without question, Harin handled laundry here.

Sarang and Sea were in charge of cleaning… but judging by the living room, someone messed up the assignments.

“Coohl~.”

“You’re really treating me like a pillow. Wake up—you’ve got to get ready.”

“Five more minuteees~.”

“Then why’d you stay up? Should’ve slept properly. I sent you back early last night.”

“Morning face is puffy~ If fans see me bloated, they’ll run!”

Hard to argue with that.

I checked my phone.

3:53 a.m.

“Exactly five minutes.”

“Mmm~.”

She pressed her face harder against my chest.

Her arms locked around my waist like a vice.

Zero personal space.

“…….”

Honestly? I could feel her chest pressed against me.

Not quite Harin or Eun-chae’s level, but Sarang wasn’t lacking either…

Even more honestly? I’m getting hard.

Being swamped lately meant no time to release tension—making it worse.

Luckily, she hadn’t noticed.

“Mmm~. Comfy pillow.”

Sarang was unusually clingy.

Like a… puppy, almost.

Not just with me—she did this with the other members too.

Once, someone refused her hugs, and she ended up bawling. Total nightmare.

Since then, we just let her. My only rule? No reciprocating beyond letting her cling.

But she’s never gripped *this* tightly before…

“Hngh~. Smells nice. New cologne?”

My old one ran out, so I switched.

Kinda dog-like how she picks up scents fast.

“Hugu-oppa.”

“Yeah?”

“Today’s sandwich. Egg mayo. No pickles, no olives.”

“Ask again later. Might not even eat sandwiches.”

“Mm~. I decided. I’ll *see* if you remember.”

Completely self-centered.

…Egg mayo, no pickles, no olives.

Egg mayo, no pickles, no olives…

“How much time left?”

“Two minutes.”

“Hmm~.”

“Thought you were napping. Why keep talking?”

“I never *said* I’d sleep~.”

“Ugh…”

Once she starts arguing, she never loses.

Meanwhile, I scanned the rooms.

Each door bore a nameplate.

[Harin]

Simple. No extra decorations.

Another personal rule—no entering the girls’ rooms.

Occasionally, though, I’d peek into open doors. Harin’s room was orderly—a model student’s space. Flawlessly clean. Never saw a single thing out of place.

It mirrored her meticulous, diligent personality.

On the other hand…

[♡Sarang’s Room♡]

Since the door was ajar, I could see inside.

Pink everywhere. Stuffed animals galore. Felt like stepping into a kid’s room.

Most were fan gifts… which took up over half her bed.

[☆UltimateGoddess☆ Eun-chae & Sea]

That room… I actively avoid.

It’s a pigpen.

Once considered cleaning it myself until I spotted *underwear on the floor*. Never again.

“Mmm~.”

“Ugh. *Drool.* Seriously.”

“Ehehehe~.”

What can I even do…

*Creak.*

“…What’re you doing?”

Not Sarang’s voice this time.

I turned toward the sound.

[Harin]

The nameplate swayed—likely just closed.

“…What’s going on? Both of you.”

*

“Showering first~.”

Before getting scolded, Sarang bolted into the bathroom.

That traitor.

Now, only Harin and I remained in the living room.

Still crusty-eyed, she scrutinized me sharply.

“Manager.”

“Uh… yeah?”

“…You’re early.”

Why were you hugging Sarang?

…was what I *heard*.

“…Big day today.”

“Right. A *very* important day.”

*The important day I secured.*

…was what I *heard*.

Cold sweat.

“…….”

Striding over, Harin stared directly into my face.

Too scared to meet her gaze, I glanced away.

“…Manager.”

“Y… yeah?”

“…….”

After a fleeting look toward the bathroom, Harin silently slid a hand behind my back.

*Smooth glide.*

Goosebump-inducingly fluid.

“W-what… are you doing?”

“…Me too….”

Her other hand brushed along my side.

Stroke.

Where is this going?

Terrifying.

Her sharp eyes made it worse.

“…Manager.”

She leaned closer.

Still pretty, even just waking up. But scary.

Is she about to bite me? Like a zombie?

*Click—thud!*

“Unnie~. Borrowing your shampoo~.”

“Eep!”

*Bang.*

The bathroom door briefly opened—just long enough for the announcement before slamming shut again.

A demand, not a request.

“Uh… Yeah…”

Harin’s belated permission came way after the door closed.

In that span, she’d somehow put three steps between us.

Her hands clenched into fists.

Makes sense—she’d be mad about her shampoo being commandeered.

“…Should I wake the others? It’s time.”

4:02 a.m. already.

With a 5 a.m. deadline, there was much to do.

“………Okay.”

Shoulders slumped, Harin headed toward Eun-chae and Sea’s room.

Today would be exhausting… But she shouldn’t start like *this*.

I’ll buy her something tasty later. Strawberry milk too. That’ll perk her up.

I *felt* her glance at me once more before entering, but I was busy replying to the salon’s text.

Today was going to be *extremely* busy.